It is with heavy hearts that Board of Child Care (BCC) announces the passing of Arianna Davis, daughter to BCC staff member, Antionette Belk. Arianna was struck by gunfire while riding in her family’s vehicle this past Mother’s Day, and sadly succumbed to her injuries yesterday.
Ms. Antoinette, as she is affectionately known by her students, is a teacher at BCC’s Early Learning Program in Washington. She has the truly incredible gift of fostering a joyful, caring, and compassionate classroom environment. Her dedication, commitment, and unwavering spirit make a lasting impact on her students and all who enter her classroom.
“The loss of a child is an indescribable sorrow, and we are united in offering our deepest condolences to Ms. Antoinette and her entire family,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, BCC’s President & CEO. “In light of this tragedy, we are extending our full support to Ms. Antoinette and all of our DC staff, both professionally and personally, as they grieve and begin the healing process.”
BCC has made resources and support available to ensure that Ms. Antoinette and the wider BCC team have access to a variety of assistance. These include ongoing mental health resources, such as access to an on-site licensed counselor as well as local support through the Department of Health. All staff have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) as well as paid time off to attend to their personnel wellbeing and recovery. The center will be closed on the day of Arianna’s funeral.
BCC also recognizes that incidents of gun violence are devastating and affect countless lives in our communities and beyond. We stand firmly in advocating for sensible gun control measures and supporting organizations dedicated to reducing violence and promoting peace.
During this time of mourning, we ask that the privacy of Ms. Antoinette and her family be respected. We kindly request that any media inquiries or messages of support be directed to Board of Child Care’s public relations department.
For more information about this tragic event, click here.